Week 21: at Los Angeles Rams

FBG says: Tough matchup. The Patriots bring in a running game that is seemingly humming along led by the late-season emergence of Sony Michel. Michel has been a volume workhorse this postseason as he has 53 carries in his last two games and Rex Burkhead has complimented Michel nicely with an additional 16 carries over those two games. This is an offensive line that struggled for most of the first half but has become a unit that is working together to becoming one of the top units in football. Guards Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney have been dominant for the Patriots in the second half of the season and have been a big factor into the success that has allowed Michel to rush for over 100 yards in three of his last four games with the only game that he did not accomplish this was Week 17 in which he only had 14 carries.
The Rams rushing defense has stepped up when they need them to as they have faced the Cowboys and Saints in consecutive weeks and shut down both teams holding them to just 2.5 yards per carry in those two games. The defense has played up to their potential after struggling for most of the season as linebacker Cory Littleton who has struggled for most of the season has stepped up in a big way over the last two games with 19 tackles. This is Littleton's first year as a regular starter, and while he struggled early on this season has played up to the potential that allowed the Rams to trade Alec Ogletree in the offseason.

Recent Stats and Projections

WEEK

OPP

oSNAP

RSH

YD

TD

TARG

REC

YD

TD

FumL

Pts

17

vs NYJ

17

5

14

0

2

1

18

1

0

9.2

19

vs LAC

11

4

12

1

1

1

7

0

0

7.9

20

at KC

30

12

41

2

4

4

23

0

0

18.4

21

at LAR

0

7

43

0

2

2

15

0

0

5.8

21

at LAR

PROJ-Dodds

*

4

*

*

2

*

*

*

*

21

at LAR

PROJ-Tremblay

*

4

*

*

2

*

*

*

*

21

at LAR

PROJ-Bloom

*

8

*

*

1

*

*

*

*

Weekly Performance vs RB 1, RB 12, RB 24, RB 36

Percentile ranks

Rex Burkhead's percentile rank in each category, among RB with more than 50 fantasy points.

Recent Game Summaries

2018 Week 20 vs KC (12 / 41 / 2 rush, 4 / 4 / 23 / 0 rec)

Burkhead was very involved late in the game, including the game clinching touchdown and run prior. His role was sparse prior to the 4th quarter and overtime, but run blocking and tough running paved the way for critical scores. His touch count was inflated due to the sheer volume of Patriots plays, so he may not see this many touches again in the Super Bowl.

2018 Week 16 vs BUF (13 / 39 / 0 rush, 5 / 4 / 40 / 0 rec)

Rex Burkhead saw his first usage of the game on the third series where he had success on the ground before fumbling. Burkhead's fumble was on a reception where he got upended and sideswiped after the catch, resulting in a nearly unpreventable fumble. He returned on the next series for a run and a catch and was not noticeable punished for the fumble. He was later targeted on a Tom Brady interception, where there was apparently a miscommunication between the two, which led to an easy interception. Burkhead also got the opportunity to kill the clock at the end of the game but had little success on the series as Buffalo was selling out to defend the run.

2018 Week 15 vs PIT (4 / 25 / 0 rush, 3 / 3 / 18 / 0 rec)

Some of the best runs of the day came from Rex Burkhead and it shouldn't surprise anyone since he has the freshest legs of all the running backs. Burkhead's versatility and change of pace ability was not only used in the backfield, but he also spent time lined up as a wide receiver. This backfield is no longer considered a 1A and 1B. It should be considered a 1A, 1B, and 1C with the continued integration of Burkhead. It should be noted Burkhead displays the best creativity in his runs. It isn't only slashing straight ahead or catching dump off passes. Burkhead's touches allow him to create in the open field and make defenders miss.

2018 Week 13 vs MIN (7 / 20 / 0 rush, 2 / 2 / 21 / 0 rec)

This was Burkhead's first game action in several weeks, and he was integrated slowly with a handful of touches. The important thing is that he looked healthy, but this is clearly Sony Michel and James White's backfield as of now, with Burkhead in as a change of pace/designed play back.

2018 Week 3 vs DET (0 / 0 / 0 rush, 3 / 2 / 26 / 0 rec)

Seeing limited play time due to the Sony Michel experiment, Burkhead didn't see a single carry, was missed on a touchdown throw from Brady, and exited the game late with a neck injury. Though Michel didn't look good, Burkhead's role remains tenuous at best.

2018 Week 2 vs JAX (6 / 22 / 0 rush, 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 rec)

Whether it was due to concussion, performance, or potential, Rex Burkhead was not involved in the game at all, seeing the bulk of his work when the game was out of hand in the 4th quarter. One game does not make a trend, but he was only lined up wide once as well, and this is something worth monitoring. It wouldn't surprise if Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel rotated evenly and were used liberally in formations, but Michel was a high draft pick, so time will tell. Burkhead did nothing of note against the Jags, as the Pats run game was dominated by the Jags defense.

2018 Week 1 vs HOU (18 / 64 / 0 rush, 3 / 1 / 5 / 0 rec)

Burkhead saw more snaps than expected due to an injury to Jeremy Hill, but wasn't able to produce much despite seeing 19 touches. His best run was a 12 yard scamper between a hole, and his day would have been much bigger if Tom Brady hadn't overthrown him for a TD on a pass route where he easily beat a linebacker. He also committed a fumble, but luckily the Pats recovered. Big days will be ahead if Hill's injury is serious.